Sprint Sets Its Sights on 2007 After Continuing to 'Power Up' Networks in 2006

$7 billion in investments provides strong foundation for network

efforts in 2007

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2006--As 2006 comes to a
close, Sprint (NYSE:S) is putting the finishing touches on a year of
significant network investments and initiatives to enhance the
customer experience.

This year, Sprint added thousands of cell sites and enhancements
to its Nationwide Sprint PCS Network(SM) and National Nextel
Network(SM), led the U.S. telecommunications industry in deploying
EV-DO Revision A technology, continued to invest heavily in its IP
assets and announced its plans for WiMAX deployment next year.

"Sprint clearly understands that its customers expect access to
powerful networks where they live, work, travel and play," said Kathy
Walker, chief network officer. "As Sprint enters 2007, our customers
can expect to see the same dedication to network improvements and
quality from us as they did in 2006. It's a never-ending effort that
our Sprint teams eagerly accept."

By the end of 2006, Sprint will have spent almost $7 billion, most
of which has gone to enhance its wireless and IP networks. Across the
country, thousands of cities received the benefit of this major
investment.

The following is a summary of major network achievements from
Sprint in 2006:

Network Coverage and Capacity Improvements

Before the end of the year, Sprint will have added more than 3,000
cell sites to its Nationwide Sprint PCS Network and National Nextel
Network in large, medium and small markets across the country. To help
current and prospective customers view coverage information, Sprint
launched its Power Network Coverage Tool in early October. This online
tool provides detailed coverage maps down to the street address level.
By entering an address or ZIP code, customers can check the
availability of wireless coverage, recently added cell sites and the
network signal strength on the Nextel National Network, Nationwide
Sprint PCS Network or Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. The tool is
available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen
kiosks at many Sprint Nextel retail stores.

Sprint Expands the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and EV-DO Rev.
A

Sprint offers the largest wireless broadband network of any
carrier through the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, which reaches
more than 188 million people across the country and covers more than
8,700 cities and 780 airports. In late October, Sprint upgraded the
Sprint Mobile Broadband Network to high-speed EV-DO (Evolution - Data
Optimized) Revision A technology in San Diego, the first U.S. market
to receive EV-DO Rev. A. Since then, EV-DO Rev. A coverage has
expanded to nearly 2,900 cities and nearly 67 million people - which
surpassed the previously announced goal of 40 million people by the
end of the year.

With EV-DO Rev. A, Sprint Mobile Broadband users should experience
average upload speeds about five to six times faster (300-400 kbps
compared with 50-70 kbps) than current EV-DO networks. Average
download speeds should also increase to 450-800 kbps from 400-700
kbps. The upgrade to EV-DO Rev. A is expected to further drive
Sprint's wireless data leadership. Customers will be able to use the
upgraded network for such applications as all-IP video telephony,
high-performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service), multi-user
video conferencing, real-time gaming and video streaming as they
become available. Sprint is the first and only service provider to
offer EV-DO Rev. A to customers in the United States.

WiMAX

Sprint announced its plans in early August to develop the first
fourth generation (4G) nationwide mobile broadband network and deploy
it in initial markets in 2007. A nationwide rollout is targeted for
2008. The 4G wireless broadband network will use the mobile WiMAX
(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) IEEE 802.16e-2005
technology standard. These efforts are intended to enable Sprint
customers to experience a nationwide mobile data network designed to
offer faster speeds, lower costs, greater convenience and enhanced
multimedia quality. The Sprint Nextel 4G mobility network will use the
company's extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, which cover 85 percent
of the households in the top 100 U.S. markets.

IP Investment

Sprint continued its strong commitment in 2006 to its Tier 1 IP
network, Next-Generation Voice Network (NGVN) and wireless-wireline
converged services, which all play a key role in the Sprint Cable
Joint Venture. Cable Voice over IP (VoIP) subscribers more than
doubled year over year in the third quarter, and Sprint expects
continued impressive growth in this area. Similarly, explosive growth
in Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) was evident, with Sprint's
net revenues from MPLS nearly tripling year over year in the third
quarter.

Continuing on a 2006 launch, the deployment of next-generation
Cisco CRS-1 routers will enable Sprint to scale the IP core network to
address expected customer demands as IP increasingly becomes the basis
of many communications services. By the end of 2007, most U.S. core
sites are expected to have a Cisco CRS-1 system. Sprint is the first
Tier 1 IP provider to place the Cisco CRS-1 into service.

"For our Sprint teams that are dedicated to ensuring our powerful
wireless and IP networks are second to none, we understand the kind of
commitment necessary to achieve our goals," said Walker, summarizing
the 2006 network investments. "Sprint customers can expect to see this
same kind of dedication to excellence as we continue to roll out more
network improvements and industry-leading services in 2007."

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and
wireline communications services, bringing the freedom of mobility to
consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative
technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving more than
51 million customers at the end of third quarter 2006;
industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and
international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and
global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit
www.sprint.com.

Sprint Nextel's ability to realize its goals is a forward-looking
statement, the discussion of which is qualified by the inherent risks
and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally and also
may materially differ from actual future experience involving any one
or more of such matters. Such risks and uncertainties include:
competitive conditions and market acceptance of Sprint Nextel's
products and services; costs and business risks associated with
providing new services; economic conditions in targeted markets;
performance of our technologies; timely development and delivery of
new technologies; actions by regulatory agencies and the risks that
have been described from time to time in Sprint Nextel's reports filed
with the SEC, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2005, as amended, and its quarterly reports on Form
10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were
made, and Sprint Nextel has no intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements in light of new information or
future events.

Sprint Sets Its Sights on 2007 After Continuing to 'Power Up' Networks in 2006

<h1>Sprint Sets Its Sights on 2007 After Continuing to 'Power Up' Networks in 2006</h1><p> $7 billion in investments provides strong foundation for network</p>
<pre> efforts in 2007</pre>
<p> RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2006--As 2006 comes to a
close, Sprint (NYSE:S) is putting the finishing touches on a year of
significant network investments and initiatives to enhance the
customer experience.</p>
<p> This year, Sprint added thousands of cell sites and enhancements
to its Nationwide Sprint PCS Network(SM) and National Nextel
Network(SM), led the U.S. telecommunications industry in deploying
EV-DO Revision A technology, continued to invest heavily in its IP
assets and announced its plans for WiMAX deployment next year.</p>
<p> "Sprint clearly understands that its customers expect access to
powerful networks where they live, work, travel and play," said Kathy
Walker, chief network officer. "As Sprint enters 2007, our customers
can expect to see the same dedication to network improvements and
quality from us as they did in 2006. It's a never-ending effort that
our Sprint teams eagerly accept."</p>
<p> By the end of 2006, Sprint will have spent almost $7 billion, most
of which has gone to enhance its wireless and IP networks. Across the
country, thousands of cities received the benefit of this major
investment.</p>
<p> The following is a summary of major network achievements from
Sprint in 2006:</p>
<p> Network Coverage and Capacity Improvements</p>
<p> Before the end of the year, Sprint will have added more than 3,000
cell sites to its Nationwide Sprint PCS Network and National Nextel
Network in large, medium and small markets across the country. To help
current and prospective customers view coverage information, Sprint
launched its Power Network Coverage Tool in early October. This online
tool provides detailed coverage maps down to the street address level.
By entering an address or ZIP code, customers can check the
availability of wireless coverage, recently added cell sites and the
network signal strength on the Nextel National Network, Nationwide
Sprint PCS Network or Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. The tool is
available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen
kiosks at many Sprint Nextel retail stores.</p>
<p> Sprint Expands the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and EV-DO Rev.
A</p>
<p> Sprint offers the largest wireless broadband network of any
carrier through the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, which reaches
more than 188 million people across the country and covers more than
8,700 cities and 780 airports. In late October, Sprint upgraded the
Sprint Mobile Broadband Network to high-speed EV-DO (Evolution - Data
Optimized) Revision A technology in San Diego, the first U.S. market
to receive EV-DO Rev. A. Since then, EV-DO Rev. A coverage has
expanded to nearly 2,900 cities and nearly 67 million people - which
surpassed the previously announced goal of 40 million people by the
end of the year.</p>
<p> With EV-DO Rev. A, Sprint Mobile Broadband users should experience
average upload speeds about five to six times faster (300-400 kbps
compared with 50-70 kbps) than current EV-DO networks. Average
download speeds should also increase to 450-800 kbps from 400-700
kbps. The upgrade to EV-DO Rev. A is expected to further drive
Sprint's wireless data leadership. Customers will be able to use the
upgraded network for such applications as all-IP video telephony,
high-performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service), multi-user
video conferencing, real-time gaming and video streaming as they
become available. Sprint is the first and only service provider to
offer EV-DO Rev. A to customers in the United States.</p>
<p> WiMAX</p>
<p> Sprint announced its plans in early August to develop the first
fourth generation (4G) nationwide mobile broadband network and deploy
it in initial markets in 2007. A nationwide rollout is targeted for
2008. The 4G wireless broadband network will use the mobile WiMAX
(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) IEEE 802.16e-2005
technology standard. These efforts are intended to enable Sprint
customers to experience a nationwide mobile data network designed to
offer faster speeds, lower costs, greater convenience and enhanced
multimedia quality. The Sprint Nextel 4G mobility network will use the
company's extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, which cover 85 percent
of the households in the top 100 U.S. markets.</p>
<p> IP Investment</p>
<p> Sprint continued its strong commitment in 2006 to its Tier 1 IP
network, Next-Generation Voice Network (NGVN) and wireless-wireline
converged services, which all play a key role in the Sprint Cable
Joint Venture. Cable Voice over IP (VoIP) subscribers more than
doubled year over year in the third quarter, and Sprint expects
continued impressive growth in this area. Similarly, explosive growth
in Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) was evident, with Sprint's
net revenues from MPLS nearly tripling year over year in the third
quarter.</p>
<p> Continuing on a 2006 launch, the deployment of next-generation
Cisco CRS-1 routers will enable Sprint to scale the IP core network to
address expected customer demands as IP increasingly becomes the basis
of many communications services. By the end of 2007, most U.S. core
sites are expected to have a Cisco CRS-1 system. Sprint is the first
Tier 1 IP provider to place the Cisco CRS-1 into service.</p>
<p> "For our Sprint teams that are dedicated to ensuring our powerful
wireless and IP networks are second to none, we understand the kind of
commitment necessary to achieve our goals," said Walker, summarizing
the 2006 network investments. "Sprint customers can expect to see this
same kind of dedication to excellence as we continue to roll out more
network improvements and industry-leading services in 2007."</p>
<p> About Sprint Nextel</p>
<p> Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and
wireline communications services, bringing the freedom of mobility to
consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative
technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving more than
51 million customers at the end of third quarter 2006;
industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and
international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and
global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit
www.sprint.com.</p>
<p> "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995</p>
<p> Sprint Nextel's ability to realize its goals is a forward-looking
statement, the discussion of which is qualified by the inherent risks
and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally and also
may materially differ from actual future experience involving any one
or more of such matters. Such risks and uncertainties include:
competitive conditions and market acceptance of Sprint Nextel's
products and services; costs and business risks associated with
providing new services; economic conditions in targeted markets;
performance of our technologies; timely development and delivery of
new technologies; actions by regulatory agencies and the risks that
have been described from time to time in Sprint Nextel's reports filed
with the SEC, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2005, as amended, and its quarterly reports on Form
10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were
made, and Sprint Nextel has no intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements in light of new information or
future events.</p>
<pre>
CONTACT: Sprint Nextel
Network Capacity Improvements
Jeff Chaltas, 913-794-2944
Jeff.a.chaltas@sprint.com
or
EV-DO Deployment
Scott Sloat, 301-951-2816
scott.sloat@sprint.com
or
WiMAX Deployment
John Polivka, 972-405-5139
john.m.polivka@sprint.com
SOURCE: Sprint Nextel
</pre>
</span>

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